Written by Oceanna Peterson, Contract Management Director

And Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.’”They immediately left their nets and followed Him. – Mark 1:17-18

I have been reading Jesus the King by Tim Keller, and in a recent study reviewed Mark 1:17-18. Keller talks about how normally a student would ask a Rabbi to take them on; however, what we see here is Jesus turning the tables on that tradition. Jesus took the first step in being the one to call His disciples to follow Him. I love this reminder that His call on our lives is what enables us to come to Him and desire to know and be in a relationship with Him, especially despite how often and how easy it is for us to stray away.

It is humbling that, even though we still struggle with sin and brokenness in our own lives, He has given us the privilege to serve through ABCS in the communities across Arizona. We are blessed to have Jesus as our example as we build relationships, proclaim the good news of the gospel and share the gift of salvation. We have a unique opportunity to be able to invite the people we serve to get to know our Savior on a personal level, to get to experience His love and grace and mercy and forgiveness.

I came across the poem The Hound of Heaven by Francis Thompson the other day and thought this excerpt paints a beautiful picture of God’s love for us despite our brokenness, and the reminder it brings that we can offer this same hope and love to others.

“Whom wilt thou find to love ignoble thee?
save Me, save only Me?
All which I took from thee I did but take,
not for thy harm,
but just that thou might seek it in My arms.
All which thy child’s mistake fancies as lost,
I have stored for thee at home;
Rise, clasp My hand, and come!”